1. Dr. William F. Shija Secretary-General The Commonwealth, the CPA and Parliamentary Democracy

2. The Commonwealth from 1948 to Today A voluntary association of independent sovereign states … consulting and co-operating in the common interests of their peoples and in the promotion of international understanding and world peace.

3. The Commonwealth Mission A Voluntary Organization Based on Consensus 53 Sovereign Nations – Nearly Two Billion People Common Heritage in Language, Culture, Law and Education No Constitution or Charter

4. Commonwealth Membership Criteria Connection with an existing member country Comply with Commonwealth values, principles and priorities Accept Commonwealth norms and conventions

10. CPA Branches in Nine Regions

11. Mission Statement Promotes Parliamentary Knowledge and Understanding Seeks Good or Best Practice Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference Communiqués To promote the advancement of parliamentary democracy by enhancing knowledge and understanding of democratic governance and by building an informed parliamentary community able to deepen the Commonwealth’s democratic commitment and to further co-operation among its Parliament and Legislatures “ Solution-Seeking” Organization

12. The CPA Structure Branch Delegations (approx. 650 Members) Officers of the Association (5) CWP Chairperson (1) Regional Representatives (30) Regional Secretariats (9) National, state, provincial, territorial Parliaments and Legislatures (over 180) CPA Officials, Members and Branch Secretaries Secretary-General and staff (14) General Assembly Executive Committee Regions Branches Members Secretariat

15. The CPA Secretariat

17. CPA Finance Income, mainly from annual Branch membership fees, totaling £ 2.2 million in 2007. Most of the fees are returned to the Branches in services. Membership fees based largely on size of Branch’s delegation entitlement to the annual conference. Central expenditure of £2.5 million in 2007.

18. Communication Process From Members attending the General Assembly to all Members in respective Branches Between Regions and Branches Between Members in each Region and each Branch Twinning arrangements (e.g. Malawi and Scotland, Tasmania and Samoa) Vertical Communication Horizontal Communication Horizontal Communication Other

19. Communication Issues General Assembly to Members in Branches Branch Meetings & Motions in the House Dates & Invitations to Regional Meetings Topics designed to share Comparative Studies Sharing and Cultural Exchange Gender Issues Parliamentarians and Constituents/ Civil Society / Media / Gender Between Parliamentarians and the Public Between Parliaments Between Members Between Regions

21. Communications Instruments and Products Reach and Effectiveness E-mail Radio, Television & Video Systems The Documentary Publications Electronic Media Direct Communication

22. The CPA and the Public Basic Research The CPA Centennial Celebration in 2011 Taking the message to the people The 53rd Annual Conference Documentary in India Future Regional Conference Documentaries

25. A Community of Parliamentarians